New Turkish constitution paves way for annulment of Article 301September 5, 2007 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The notorious Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) may soon be no more; one of the articles in the new draft constitution requires the Constitutional Court to annul laws that contradict international agreements to which Turkey is a signatory.Article 301 has been used to prosecute writers and journalists for "insulting Turkishness", even if they express their opinion in a nonviolent fashion, and stands in opposition to the European Human Rights Agreement. In an effort to produce a civilian constitution, the Turkish government has appointed an academic team to draft a new constitution for the country. The Turkish Constitutional Court's structure and duties are to be reformed according to the new constitutional draft prepared by a top Turkish constitutional professor, Ergun Ozbudun, and his academic team. Ozbudun said Article 90 of the existing Constitution will remain, but be revised in the new draft to provide superiority to international agreements that Turkey has signed, Zaman reports. Armenian Turkish editor Hrant Dink, who was gunned down January 19, 2007 in Istanbul, Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk, novelist Elif Shafak and writer Ragip Zakaroglu stood trial under the article. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Pasadena to host Armenian Genocide commemoration event The Pasadena Armenian Coalition will host its community-wide Armenian Genocide Commemorative Event. Armenia: Opposition activist transferred to Investigative Committee Activist Samvel Vardanyan has been accused of insulting the lawmaker Hakob Aslanyan from the ruling Civil Contract party. Former Pashinyan envoy urges end to Genocide speculation Marukyan has urged authorities in Armenia stop discussions about verifying the names of 1.5 million victims. Azerbaijan, Jordan sign deal on defense cooperation Azerbaijan and Jordan have signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of defense, according to an official statement. |